Instagram Leverages AI to Catch Teens Lying About Their Ages

Instagram is rolling out a new AI-powered system designed to detect if teens are lying about their age on the platform. This move is part of a broader push by parent company Meta Platforms to enhance safety and privacy for younger users.

For some time, Meta has used AI to assess users’ ages, but this new feature takes a more proactive approach. The company will now actively scan accounts suspected of being teen profiles, even if the user initially entered a false birthdate when signing up.

If Instagram’s AI flags an account as potentially belonging to a teen, it will automatically switch the account to a “teen” status. Teen accounts come with several key restrictions aimed at boosting safety. For instance:

• Privacy by Default: Teen accounts will be private unless changed by the user.
• Message Restrictions: Teens can only receive direct messages from people they follow or are already connected to.
• Content Limits: Content deemed “sensitive” — like videos featuring fights or promoting cosmetic procedures — will be restricted.
• Screen Time Warnings: Teens will receive a reminder if they spend more than 60 minutes on the app. Additionally, Instagram will activate a “sleep mode” from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., turning off notifications and sending auto-replies to direct messages.

Meta’s AI system looks at various signals to determine whether a user is accurately representing their age. These include the type of content they engage with, their profile details, and the account’s creation date. The company claims that over time, the AI is trained to better recognize patterns that suggest a user’s true age.

This move comes as social media platforms, including Instagram, face growing scrutiny over their impact on young users’ mental health. Many states are attempting to pass age verification laws to ensure that children under 13 aren’t using apps like Instagram, although these laws have encountered legal challenges.

Meta, along with other social media companies, has advocated for app stores to take more responsibility for age verification. Critics argue that platforms like Instagram aren’t doing enough to safeguard children.

In addition to the AI measures, Instagram will now send notifications to parents, offering guidance on how to discuss the importance of accurate age reporting with their teens.

Meta’s new AI-driven initiative signals a deeper commitment to creating a safer, more controlled experience for younger users, especially as public concern about social media’s impact on mental health grows.